Tico Time Country Festival 2026: Aztec, NM June 26-28

Attendees stay on-site with access to swimming, paddleboarding, yoga sessions, hiking trails, and vendor areas. Early entry camping begins Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m., with festival gates open through Monday morning.

Browse the full schedule and buy your tickets at ticotimecountry.com.

What are the event details?

• Dates: June 26–28, 2026
• Location: Tico Time River Resort, 20 Road 2050, Aztec, NM
• Tickets: 3-Day General Admission Festival Passes at the announcement price cost $189. Upgrades, parking, camping, glamping, and more, cost extra. Get tickets.
• Arrival & Access
  • Early entry camping access begins Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m.
  • Festival gates remain open through Monday morning for departures
• Volunteers: Tico Time is looking for event volunteers. Find out how and if you qualify.

The three-day festival weekend features continuous live music across multiple stages, outdoor recreation along the Animas River, and on-site camping experiences that keep attendees close to the action.

On-Site Attractions:

• Riverside main stage and covered pavilion stage
• Beach swimming areas, stand-up paddleboarding, and water slides
• Morning yoga sessions and afternoon workshops
• Hiking trails and sand volleyball courts
• Craft vendors and food trucks throughout the grounds

Why You Can’t Miss Tico Time Country Festival 2026

The Tico Time Country Festival combines authentic country music headliners, riverside recreation, and on-site camping in a way that single-night concerts cannot replicate. Unlike urban music venues or drive-in festivals, Tico Time is designed for attendees to stay on property and move freely between music, water activities, and campgrounds.

What makes the experience unique

The Tico Time Country Festival layout removes the need to commute between venues. Attendees walk from camping areas to performances to beach swimming to hiking trails, all within the 80-acre property. The curated lineup features road-tested artists rather than emerging acts, with headliners performing at the level typically found at major regional festivals.

The Animas River setting and Four Corners location with proximity to Durango, CO, and Farmington, NM, also allows visitors to extend their trip. Many guests combine the music weekend with visits to Aztec Ruins National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, or scenic trails in the La Plata Mountains.

Key reasons to attend

Stay on-site without commuting. Two performance stages, beach access, and camping are all within walking distance, eliminating the need to drive between events or rush home after performances.

Headliner-level lineup. Over 25 scheduled appearances feature established Texas country acts (Randy Rogers Band, Jason Boland & The Stragglers), major artists (Paul Cauthen, Larry Fleet), and rising regional touring bands, rather than primarily opening acts.

Multi-day recreation and community. Beyond concerts, attendees can paddleboard, swim, hike, play sand volleyball, and participate in morning yoga sessions. The on-site format builds community as attendees encounter the same groups throughout the weekend.

Authentic country artists. The lineup emphasizes hard-touring musicians with regional roots and earned fanbases, rather than mainstream pop-country acts. Many performers came up through Texas honky-tonks and built their following one show at a time.

Scenic destination setting. The riverside location and proximity to major Four Corners attractions turns the festival into a broader travel experience rather than a single-night event.

Who are the headliners and featured artists?

Paul Cauthen

Part country crooner, part funk-soul preacher, and total authentic Texas country outlaw, Paul Cauthen, the man they call “Big Velvet,” is a country music force of nature. With a booming baritone voice that bridges the gap between Johnny Cash and Barry White, Cauthen is currently touring in support of his highly anticipated fifth studio album, Book of Paul (2026). 

Known for his “YeeDM” (country music with electronic dance music) grooves and a chaotic wild man stage presence, his live show evokes rowdy “unshackle yourself” spiritual revival. Riding the wave of a landmark year of global collaborations and a defiant return to his East Texas roots, Big Velvet arrives at Tico Time Country Fest with his larger than life rhinestoned saunter and a catalog of hits ranging from the viral “Cocaine Country Dancing” to the gritty anthem “Texas Swagger.”

Randy Rogers Band

Forged in the honky-tonks of San Marcos, Texas, and tempered by more than 20 years on the road, the Randy Rogers Band is the gold standard of Texas Country. If the country music industry is known as a series of revolving doors, the Randy Rogers Band is the oak tree you carved your name into all those years ago.

Featuring the same core lineup and delivering an electrifying live show built on dust, dirt, camaraderie, and zero throwaway songs, the band is led by the business-savvy, soulful songwriting of Randy Rogers and fueled by the virtuosic energy of fiddle player Brady Black and multi-instrumentalist Todd Stewart.

From the hallowed halls of Nashville’s RCA Studio A to sold-out stages across the nation, RRB croons a cohesive, formidable, road-refined performance of authentic Red Dirt music that satisfies the die-hard fans and newcomers.

Larry Fleet

A blue-collar balladeer with a soul-stirring voice, Larry Fleet is the real deal. Discovered by Jake Owen while playing covers at a wedding, the White Bluff, Tennessee, native has since traded his construction tools for a guitar, becoming one of country music’s most resonant songwriters. 

With a soulful classic country soul and gospel-infused heart, Fleet is touring in support of his 2026 release, Another Year Older. 

Whether he’s delivering the quiet reverence of his gold-certified hit “Where I Find God” or the relatable, hard-working anthems from his latest album, Fleet’s performance is a front porch sermon in blue-collar storytelling. Expect a powerful, no-frills show from a man who’s spent a lifetime earning his place on the stage.

Giovannie and the Hired Guns

Crashing the gates of the mainstream with their self-proclaimed “Tejano Punk” sound, Giovannie and the Hired Guns are the kinetic outliers of the Stephenville, Texas, scene. Winners of the iHeartRadio Award for “Best New Rock & Alternative Artist,” this quintet has mastered the art of the genre-blurring anthem by weaving heavy rock riffs, pop-punk energy, and gritty country soul. 

Straight off the massive success of their 2025 album Quitter, front-man Giovannie Yanez and his crew bring an explosive stage show that turns every festival field into a mosh-pit-friendly honky tonk. From the chart-topping, culture-shifting hit “Ramon Ayala” to the raw defiance of their latest singles, the Hired Guns are proof that the loudest band in Texas is also its most vital.

Tanner Usrey

Texas-born and bred with a voice that hits like a freight train, Tanner Usrey is Red Dirt Americana’s rising star. Usrey has exploded from a regional favorite to a national headliner with over 300 million streams to his name. 

Having toured behind his Dave Cobb-produced sophomore masterpiece, These Days (2025), he brings an unfiltered honesty to the stage, tackling everything from heartache to mental health with raw, weathered vocals. 

Whether he’s burning down the stage with the throat punch “Gasoline and Adderall” or delivering his viral, show-stopping cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain,” Tanner Usrey’s live set is a masterclass in loud, vulnerable, and unapologetic Lone Star State rock and roll.

Jason Boland & The Stragglers

Hot on the heels of their 2025 induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Jason Boland & The Stragglers continue to define the standard for authentic, uncompromising country music. For nearly three decades, Boland has paired a classic honky-tonk baritone with some of the most literate and philosophical songwriting in the genre. 

Currently touring behind their latest studio effort, The Last Kings of Babylon (2025), the band remains a tight-knit tour-de-force of steel guitar and fiddle-driven sound. 

From hallowed-ground anthems such as “Pearl Snaps” to the mind-bending narratives of their recent work, The Stragglers deliver mind-bending narratives in their recent concept work.

Kolton Moore & The Clever Few

From a “best-kept secret” to a national headlining force, Kolton Moore & The Clever Few are Texas road warriors of rock and roll. Known for a sound that is “easy on the ears and heavy on the heart,” this veteran quintet has spent 10 years sharpening a mix of blue-collar storytelling and larger-than-life country hooks. 

Touring their sixth studio album, A Place That I Call Home, recorded in Memphis with Grammy-winner Matt Ross-Spang, the band has reached a new peak of sonic maturity. 

From the raw, overdriven power of “The Flood” to the intimate, acoustic vulnerability that caught the attention of Yellowstone and American Idol, Kolton Moore & The Clever Few bring a high-low dynamic that feels grounded yet explosive.

Willow Avalon

Small-town Georgia-born and raised, Willow Avalon brings everything you love about Dolly Parton and hell raising rebellion together into one new generation defining classic country revivalist sound.

Buoyed by a standout year featuring her late-night debut on Stephen Colbert and her critically acclaimed 2025 album Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell, she brings a captivating blend of sharp wit and silver-toned vocals to the stage. 

Avalon commands the stage when she performs the viral anthem “Tequila or Whiskey” or the biting “Homewrecker.” With each song, she delivers a performance that is as unapologetically southern as it is refreshingly true to her roots.

Rattlesnake Milk

Rattlesnake Milk crafts a haunting distinctly desert noir ambience that is as vast and uncompromising as the Texas Panhandle flatlands they call home. What began as rough demos recorded by frontman Lou Lewis on his tractor has evolved into a sound wall of psych-surf, rockabilly, and Tejano Punk. 

Populating reverbed, pentatonic riffs with tales of vice, addiction, and Southern Gothic desperation of life in the rural South, Rattlesnake Milk bridges the gap between the lonesome howl of the prairie and the distorted energy of winding dirt roads.

On the upswing off their high-profile debut at Austin City Limits and a string of sold-out shows, this quartet of lifelong friends delivers a live performance that feels both otherworldly and dust-conjured, leaving little mystery why they’ve earned a cult following that reaches far beyond the land where it was first coiled.

See the full lineup.

What can I expect at the Tico Time Country Festival?

The Tico Time Country Festival keeps the action close and constant. Two stages run packed schedules all weekend, so there is always another set starting, another crowd forming, another reason to stay out longer than planned.

The Main Stage sits beside a wide sandy beach where fans move straight from the dance floor into the water, then back again when the next artist steps up.

The covered Pavilion Stage adds its own stream of activity with daytime performances, workshops, and smaller sets that give the schedule substance beyond the main performances. It is an easy place to wander into a show, stay longer than expected, or catch an artist up close before heading back toward the riverfront crowds.

Across more than 25 scheduled appearances, the weekend shifts between established country headliners, hard-touring Texas bands, Americana songwriters, and newer regional acts building momentum on the circuit.

What else can I do at Tico Time?

At the Tico Time Country Festival, the weekend is built around staying on site. Walk-in camping, car camping, and RV sites spread across the riverside grounds, turning the event into a three-day hang that keeps going long after the last set each night.

Between performances, people move easily from the beach beside the Main Stage to hiking trails, activity zones, and vendor areas across the resort. Some cool off in the water, others grab a paddleboard, join a volleyball game, or refuel at food stalls or the on-site café before heading back toward the next set.

Activities throughout the weekend include:

• Walk-in camping and designated on-site camping areas
• Swimming and sandy beach access near the Main Stage
• Stand-up paddleboards, tubes, and kayaks
• Large water slides and riverside lounging zones
• Sand volleyball courts
• Hiking trails along the Animas River Valley
• Morning yoga sessions and festival workshops

Permanent and temporary restrooms, showers, drinking water stations, and a general store stocked with snacks and essentials are available across the property. Many attractions operate on a first-come basis, which keeps the grounds active and social throughout the day.

What are the camping options at Tico Time River Resort?

Staying on site is central to the Tico Time Country Festival experience. Campgrounds spread across the riverside property offer different ways to settle in for the weekend, from shaded walk-in areas to full hookup RV campsites and furnished glamping tent rentals.

Each camping zone provides its own balance of proximity, comfort, and atmosphere.

Walk-In Camping in the Magical Forest

The Magical Forest walk-in camping area sits in a shaded grove about a 5–7 minute walk from the Main Stage and vendor zones. It offers a quieter setting while still keeping performances and activities within easy reach.

Bathrooms and showers are located within the campground, and a free gear shuttle runs between parking and the forest to help transport supplies.

Tamarindo Car Camping Sites

Tamarindo car camping spaces allow one vehicle and room for tent setups on grassy sites near bathrooms, showers, the camp store, and food vendors. These areas sit closer to the main festival footprint, making it easy to move between camp and concerts.

Camping operates on a first-come basis, so groups hoping to set up together should plan to arrive at the same time.

Full Hookup RV & Crew Campsites

For larger setups, full hookup RV and crew campsites include electricity connections, sewer access, drinking water, picnic tables, and fire pits within spacious designated pads.

Preferred locations place campers closer to the concert bowl and dining areas. Each site accommodates one RV or vehicle, with optional extra vehicle passes available.

Glamping Tent Rentals

Attendees looking for a more furnished stay can reserve glamping tent rentals set up in advance on site. These canvas bell tents include elevated queen beds, rugs, lighting, seating, and linens for a ready-to-use campsite.

Electricity is available for low-power devices, and festival admission must be purchased separately.

What to see and do in the Four Corners Region?

The Tico Time Country Festival sits just outside Aztec and 30 minutes from Durango, putting some of the region’s best landscapes and historic sites within easy driving distance. Many festivalgoers turn the music weekend into a longer road-trip escape.

Nearby stops include:

• Aztec Ruins National Monument (20 minute drive)
• Mesa Verde National Park (1 hour drive)
• Scenic trails and waterfall routes in the La Plata Mountains (1 hour drive)
• Guided and self-guided rafting trips along the Animas River (You’ll be on it!)

Arrive early or stay an extra day and you can turn three days of country music into a full Four Corners getaway.

What are the festival rules and policies?

1. The festival runs rain or shine. Be ready for sunshine, wind, or sudden summer showers.
   
2. All ticket sales are final. If the event is rescheduled, passes remain valid for the new dates.
   
3. Pets are not allowed on festival grounds. Only ADA-defined service animals are permitted.
   
4. Tickets must be exchanged for wristbands upon arrival. Wristbands are required for entry throughout the weekend.
   
5. Guests 21 and older may bring their own alcohol. Glass containers and unsafe consumption are prohibited.
   
6. Parking passes and early-entry upgrades are available. These are especially helpful for attendees planning to camp on site.

Ready to attend the Tico Time Country Festival?

Trade the usual weekend routine for something louder, sunnier, and a little bit sandy. The Tico Time Country Festival turns a stretch of riverside land near Aztec into a full-on country music hangout, where the schedule runs from afternoon sets to late-night campfire conversations.

Days move easily between the Main Stage beach crowds, paddleboard breaks, volleyball games, and shaded campsite resets before the next artist takes over. Some people arrive for the lineup. Others come for the camping, the river, or the chance to stay outdoors with thousands of fellow fans for three straight days. Most end up staying for all of it!

What’s your next step?

Browse the full artist lineup: Explore all 25+ performances across both stages at ticotimecountry.com.

Buy your tickets: Get 3-Day General Admission Festival Passes. They start at $189. Upgrades for early entry, camping, parking, and glamping are available separately.

Plan your camping setup. Choose from walk-in tent camping in the Magical Forest, car camping at Tamarindo, full hookup RV sites, or glamping tent rentals. Reserve early for preferred locations.

Get the full details. Visit ticotimecountry.com to see the complete schedule, camping options, ticket packages, and festival policies.

Three days of riverside music, community, and adventure await. Say yes to the festival detour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tico Time Country Festival?

The Tico Time Country Festival is a three-day outdoor country music event held each summer at Tico Time River Resort near Aztec, NM. The festival combines live performances across multiple stages with on-site camping, riverfront recreation, workshops, and vendor programming, creating a destination-style weekend built around music and community.

Unlike single-night concerts or urban music festivals, Tico Time is designed as a fully immersive gathering. Attendees typically stay on the property for the entire weekend, moving between performances, beach areas, activity zones, and camping grounds.

Programming includes more than 25 scheduled artist appearances across two stages, alongside daytime yoga sessions, workshops, and outdoor recreation such as stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, and volleyball.

Because the resort spans more than 80 acres along the Animas River, the event functions as both a music festival and a recreational getaway. Many visitors treat it as a short vacation, combining festival attendance with regional sightseeing in the Four Corners area.

When is the Tico Time Country Festival 2026?

The Tico Time Country Festival 2026 takes place June 26-28, with optional early camping entry beginning the afternoon of Thursday, June 25. Festival gates open at 2 p.m. Thursday for upgraded arrivals and remain accessible through Monday morning for campers departing the resort after the final performances.

Concert programming runs throughout the weekend across both the Main Stage and Pavilion Stage. Performances typically begin during the daytime and continue into evening headline sets, allowing attendees to experience multiple artists without schedule overlap dominating the experience.

The extended gate schedule supports the festival’s camping format. Many visitors arrive early to secure preferred camping areas, set up RV hookups or walk-in sites, and settle into the property before music begins Friday morning.

Remaining on site through Sunday night also allows guests to fully participate in late sets, workshops, and recreational activities without needing to rush travel plans.

Where is the Tico Time Country Festival located?

The Tico Time Country Festival takes place at Tico Time River Resort near Aztec, NM, positioned along the Animas River in the Four Corners region. The property sits within driving distance of Durango, CO., and several major cultural and outdoor destinations across northern New Mexico and southwestern Colorado.

The resort setting is a defining part of the festival’s identity. Sandy beach areas, wooded camping zones, hiking trails, and open recreation fields surround the concert bowl, creating a layout where music and outdoor activity exist side by side.

This riverside location allows attendees to swim, paddleboard, or relax between performances without leaving festival grounds. It also places visitors close to notable regional sites such as Aztec Ruins National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park.

For many guests, the geographic setting turns the festival into a broader travel experience that extends beyond the performance schedule itself.

What does a Tico Time Country Festival pass include?

A standard three-day Tico Time Country Festival pass includes entry to all scheduled concerts, access to walk-in camping zones, and participation in recreational programming across the resort property. Attendees can use swimming areas, water slides, paddleboards, volleyball courts, and hiking trails throughout the weekend.

Festival passes are designed to cover both entertainment and basic outdoor activity access, making the event feel more like a multi-day gathering than a ticketed show. However, certain upgrades require additional purchase.

Options such as car camping spaces, full-hookup RV sites, early entry access, and parking passes are sold separately to accommodate different travel styles and comfort preferences.

Because many attractions operate on a first-come basis, arriving early in the day can improve access to popular features like watercraft rentals or preferred camping locations.

Is the Tico Time Country Festival family-friendly?

Yes. The Tico Time Country Festival welcomes attendees of all ages and offers designated camping areas suited to families or those seeking a quieter overnight environment. Youth ticket options are available, and children below certain age thresholds may attend at reduced cost or free with adult supervision.

The festival’s outdoor layout supports daytime activities such as swimming, hiking, and workshops that appeal to mixed-age groups. Wide open spaces and structured programming help balance high-energy evening concerts with more relaxed daytime experiences.

However, guardians remain responsible for supervising children, particularly near water features, camping zones, and crowded performance areas.

Many families incorporate the festival into longer regional trips, pairing music attendance with sightseeing or outdoor recreation in the surrounding Four Corners landscape.